In Warner, a 50 year tradition of taking children outdoors each spring at the Warner Fishing Derby indicates that the location of the derby is a special place in town. Willow brook, also known as Children’s Brook, has always been the Derby location. Families come with their children, fishing poles and bait to help their kids learn the thrills of spending time outdoors and taking a chance at bringing dinner home. The faces of children and their parents express the importance of this event. It is a bonding experience for everyone. So, when Scott and Joan Warren and the Warner Conservation Commission asked Five Rivers Conservation Trust to help conserve land along Children’s Brook, we were excited. “Community Conservation is about conserving the places important to the people in the Community,” says Beth McGuinn, Executive Director of Five Rivers Conservation Trust.

After 2 years of working toward the goal, the project has been completed, with the Town and the Warrens each conserving the land they own along the brook. Now, nearly ½ mile along the brook is conserved and will always be open for children who want to take a chance at catching the big one. Nancy Martin, Chair of the Warner Conservation Commission, says her boys Chip and Andy participated in the derby from ages 5 to 16, back in the 60’s and 70’s. “We hope to instill a love of fishing in our grandchildren, beginning just like their Dads did, with the Warner Fishing Derby.” In an era when the lure of technology means children (and parents) spend less time outdoors, Children’s Brook is a very important place for introducing children to the inspiration of nature. With the area conserved, future generations of parents and children will have access to this special place – Children’s Brook. Five Rivers Conservation Trust guided the Warrens and the Town of Warner through the Conservation process.

The Town and the Warrens generously donated conservation easements, which limit the use of their land and allow future generations of children to fish on this section of the brook. The Town donated funds to cover all transaction expenses. Five Rivers will monitor the property to ensure that it is used only for conservation purposes in the future.

Five Rivers Conservation Trust is a nonprofit, member-supported organization working with communities and landowners to protect special places. The goal of the Trust is to ensure that future generations can experience, utilize, and benefit from the farms, forests, wetlands, and fields that characterize much of the landscape today. Five Rivers works in seventeen communities across the greater capital region of New Hampshire and has conserved 79 properties, totaling over 4800 acres.